catastrophe
n. countable B2 Upper Intermediate US //kəˈtæstɹəfi// UK //kɐtˈæstɹəfi// catas·tro·phe
n. a sudden and very bad event that causes great damage or suffering. You use this word for disasters like earthquakes, fires, or floods.
n. a sudden event causing widespread destruction, loss, or great suffering. Typically used for large-scale disasters rather than minor accidents.
The earthquake was a major catastrophe for the city.
The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe that affected marine life for years.
Historians often describe the fall of the empire not as a single catastrophe but as a slow decline caused by economic instability and political corruption.
From Ancient Greek καταστροφή (katastrophḗ), from καταστρέφω (katastréphō, “I overturn”), from κατά (katá, “down, against”) + στρέφω (stréphō, “I turn”).